Real Estate For Sale

The Bellmere resident has transformed an aviary-type Absco shed into a haven for his chooks, complete with nesting boxes and other creature comforts.

It's a change that has also seen Mark enter his modified chicken coop into the Cheap Sheds We Love Our Aussie Shed Competition (The 2012 Shed Contest).

"I was looking for something to house my flock and I came across a large Absco aviary-type shed and thought about what I could do with it," Mark said.

"It wasn't too difficult to convert, with the addition of nesting boxes inside I've made it quite favourable for the chickens."

Along with the modified chicken shed, Mark has created an area for the poultry and they come from all directions when it's food time.

Mark and wife Nina were both in the Army for many years. They settled in Bellmere with their two young sons for a change of scenery and the opportunity to create a self-sufficient lifestyle.

With Nina at work, Mark is based at home and has his own website Self Sufficient Me in which he talks about aspects of self-sufficiency.

"Being self-sufficient is something I'm passionate about and it's rewarding once you put the initial groundwork in," he said.

When you walk into their backyard it's obvious how much work they've done in six years.

"We've built a vegetable patch, there's an orchard and herbs and we have a treatment plant for our septic system with all water going on other plants and the yard," Mark said.As well as using eggs in their meals, the family also use duck eggs which Mark said "make a good pavlova".

"We skip the fresh food section when shopping, as we have everything in our own back yard," he said.

"It's a great way to save money, reduce waste and we have a lot of healthy options right outside our door."

SHED COMP

Vote for Mark Valencia at contest.cheapsheds.com.au

There are also two garden sheds being given away to two lucky voters, just for supporting a contestant